Kukla's Korner Hockey

"I don't think this will put any more pressure on me," said Kesler, who can also play right wing and is eyeing a spot on the top two lines. "I put pressure on myself to play every game to the best of my capabilities and I've played with Nazzy [Markus Naslund] and Mo [Brendan Morrison]. I know I can play at that level if I get that opportunity."
And even though Nonis may make roster decisions to free up cap space, Kesler's agent Kurt Overhardt doesn't expect to be in the GMs crosshairs after this saga.
"Not at all," said Overhardt. "The landscape changes every year and this was an attempt [by Clarke] to get an asset that you couldn't get through the draft or through a trade.
"The reason offer sheets are in the CBA is to encourage competitiveness. You'll see more of these, especially with the pressure on GMs and owners to create winning teams."